Mechanical toy shovel



Aug. 2, 1949. G. E. BROWN MECHANICAL TOY SHOVEL Filed Aug. 7, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 4.

Inventor George E. Brown Aug. 2, 1949. 5, BROWN 2,478,084

MECHANICAL TOY SHOVEL Filed Aug. 7, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor George E. Brown Patented Aug. 2, 1949 UNITED ES- FFI CE TOYSHOVEIL GeorgeEI Brown, Sacramento; Calif. Alilfl-ifltififlkiffifitfi, 1947, Serial No. 767,152 2-Claims.= (011214-1285 This invention I appertains stoanovel and useful improvements in amusement devices; particularly those adapted-to: be usedhy childrenw An object of this invention is te simulate a mechanical. shovel includinfglassimulation or many of the operative motionsthereor. 3

Another: object 1 of: this invention: isitor provide means tfor-carryingiout the above mentioned 'fun etion Anotherpurpose of this invention is'to provi'de a pivotallyzmountedtbcom-which may be further pivoted about aistandard or 'suppdrt by manipu lating aisteeringi wheeL Another purpose -of -this invention is to provide a pivotally mounted sho'vel on the said boom and 'Lclos-ure means-on the said shovel actuated by pulling a cord or chain.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide a-seat which moves in-re1ationto themovement of the said boom.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide an extremely *simple; inexpensive-device of the character described whichis commercially? fees-'- ible;

Ancillary-objects and novel-weatures -will become apparent in followingth'e description of the-preferred embodiment of the invention;illustrated: in the accompanying-"drawings," wherein.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form of the invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational side view of the invention disclosed in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the invention shown in Figure 2, illustrating certain details of construction;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing particularly the steering mechanism forming part of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a side view of the shovel utilized in this invention.

Referring now in detail to the illustrated, preferred embodiment of the invention, reference is made primarily to Figure 2 wherein there is disclosed a base [6 which may be of any suitable configuration.

Of course, as mentioned hereinbeiore, the present invention is a device conducive of enjoyment to children. Accordingly, the preferred embodiment of the invention has been developed with a view toward entertaining safety features wherein a child may operate the invention without exposing himself to the likelihood of falling any great distance from the seat l2. As is well known, the majority of children are awed by large machines such as stea m shovels, steam rollers, and

the like. Accordingly, a device which is operative for digging+ holes, lifting r-impedimenta and other similar purposes has been-developed, The actuation of the preferred-embodiment of the invention simulates a conventionalsteam shovel wherein movement isdisclosed; I

A red l4projects-ironwand-issecured-to the base- I fl;-anda housing. is is rota.tablyt journaled about the said rod l4. Fixedto the said housing i 6 by any 'suitable -means such as welding onthe like-is another-housing w which will be referred toas'a'case fordistinguishingpurposes; A cap communicates the -said case I 8 and housing. l 6 and-serves the purpose of-a gear box.

A gear 22 -is 'rigidly secured-to the'rod l 4 and is receiveddnthe --cap. '20, Then, a' shaft -24 '-ex tends through the ;cap.=2fl i and-intothe case l 8. This-shaft 24 'may berotatively.jQurnaIed -byany suitable conventional means including bearings. A steeringwheel '2 6 is rigicllyrsecured to one end of the= said=shaft 24. Also recei-ved-on the said shaft '24 "is a planetary rgear 2fi which is meshed with the relatively stationaryB-gear 22.--

Going.ito'Figure'npit wifl be noted that by -this construction; rotation of the said steering wheel 26 will elfec't rotatidn of the housing 16 including the r: 1 8 and 'cap 205- I A- beem is'scured to the 'sai'd housing' 6 adjacent thelower portien thereofi This bdeiti may be composed of a pair of' cdn ver-giiig arnis 30 and 32, respectively, which are secured at their junction by utility of a rivet, bolt, or the like 34. At the opposite end of the said legs 30 and 32 there is a provided a cross member 36 which is rigidly secured to the said housing I6. Means for journaling the legs 30 and 32 extend into this cross member 36 and may be lugs, a hollow shaft, or the like. Also, an arm or crank 38 is journaled in the said cross member 36 and has a bracket 40 extending therefrom. An arcuate pitman 42 is secured to the said bracket 40 and terminates in a small link 44.

This small link 44 is secured to a rod 46 which is journaled on the boom. Upon actuation of taining member 50 is urged pivotally about the axis of the said rod 46.

A shovel 52, simulating the mechanical shovel utilized in large-scale operations, is secured to the terminal portion of the said member 50. A gate 54 is provided at one portion of the said shovel 52 and is used as a closure means pertinent to an associated aperture therein. Means for resiliently biasing the said gate 54 to a closed position is provided. This means is preferably a plurality of conventional spring-hinge elements 56 common to screen doors and the like.

A hook 58 may be fixed to a selected portion of the gate 54 and a cord 60 secured thereto. This cord is obviously used for the purpose of actuating the gate 54 against the biasing force of the spring-hinge members 56.

A pair of brackets 62 are secured to the said case l8 and a shaft 64 is rotatively journaled thereon. The shaft 64 also has an actuating lever 66 fixed thereto, or if desired, integral therewith, A bracket 68 is secured to the shaft 64 and an arcuate pitman secured thereto. The opposite end of the pitman is rotatively journaled in the end of the rod 46 and is utilized for the purpose of lifting and lowering the boom. Of course, the cord 60 may be secured to any selected element, preferably the bracket means 62.

A pair of arms 12 and 14, respectively, are secured to the housing 16 and converge to form a truss-like member. Received at the terminal portion of this truss-like member is a conventional seat 12, similar to the type utilized in bicycles. Of course, since the said seat I2 is connected with the housin 16, upon rotation of the said housing, the seat, boom and shovel will be rotated simultaneously. Positioned adjacent the lowermost portion of the said housing It is a cross bar 16 provided for the purpose of receiv- Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An amusement device comprising a stand having a rod projecting therefrom, a housing positioned on said stand, means associated with said rod for turning said housing, a boom pivoted to said housing, means for raising and lowering said boom, a shovel pivoted to said boom, means for pivotally actuating said shovel, said housing turning means including a stationary gear on said rod, a planetary gear in said housing engageable with said stationary ear and means for imparting torque to said planetary gear thereby turning said housing, a gate hingedly mounted on said shovel, means for resiliently biasing said gate to a closed position, and an actuation cord secured to said gate.

2. An amusement device comprising a stand having a rod projecting therefrom, a housing positioned on said stand, means associated with said rod for turning said housing, a boom pivoted to said housing, means for raising and lowering said boom, a shovel pivoted to said boom, means for pivotally actuating said shovel, said housing turning means including a stationary gear on said rod, a planetary gear in said housing engageable with said stationary gear and means for imparting torque to said planetary gear thereby turning said housing, a gate hingedly mounted on said shovel, means for resiliently biasing said gate to a closed position, an actuation cord secured to said gate, said boom raising and lowering means including a shaft secured to said housing, means for rotating said shaft and means for connecting said shaft to said boom.

GEORGE E. BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,566,030 Marks Dec. 15, 1925 1,827,541 Opperman Oct, 13, 1931 1,929,516 Redmond Oct. 10, 1933 2,192,807 Strom Mar. 5, 1940 2,247,619 Penica July 1, 1941 

